I just got an American Standard HSS strat and am loving it... I think the single coils sound great and am not itching to swap them at all. However the Diamondback humbucker isn't agreeing with the somewhat bright natural tone of the guitar. I've listened to samples at Duncan's site and I like the "Custom Custom," and have also seen it recommended as a "brightmess reducer." I like Timmons and his main guitar is also alder/maple, so I'm curious about his pup too.

Anyway. so just wondering if anyone has spent quality time with both and can compare/contrast?

PS, My musical styles are progressive metal, rock and fast blues. (For the metal I have a mahogany/rosewood/hardtail guitar, but it wouldn't hurt to use the bridge pup on this as well.)

I'm open to other suggestions too. Nothing too spendy though.

Uh, have to disagree on the Custom Custom. It is one of the brightest humbuckers out there in that S-D gives it a "3" in bass response. Plus being Alnico II it is "looser" and more vintage sounding -- which can be great -- while still being high output.

As such it was perfect for a semi-hollow body (mahogany) Schecter that we modded into a budget PRS killer.

I'd really suggest a S-D JB for what you play -- boring I know, but it is tried and true for a reason. That and the tone knob should do the trick. Good luck.